Soccerex Miami : The Greatest Gathering in Football Business History

Story by: Annie Y. Hiamey.

Soccerex Miami 2024 was a fantastic event! Soccerex took place in Miami, in partnership with Concacaf, US Soccer Federation, Major League Soccer, LaLiga and more. The event kicked off with an incredible VIP roof top Welcome Reception at the home pitch of Inter Miami CF of Major League Soccer Chase Stadium where the amazing Messi plays.

Soccerex Miami welcomed over 2,000 delegates, 600+ right holders, 73% c-level , 100 speakers , 65+ incredible exhibitors from over 70+ countries for a two full days of networking with senior soccer executives, over 24 hours of content, and wonderful social networking evenings in fantastic settings in the Magic City.

Soccerex has been hosting best-in-class football business industry events since 1996. From Wembley Stadium to the Maracana in Rio, Soccerex has held 51 events in 22 cities around the world. This was the fifth time Soccerex was held in Miami.

The 2024 edition was held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, a venue and brand known around the world for delivering best in class events and experiences.

Leading figures from around the world took to the stage and provided insight on topics most pertinent to the global game including infrastructure, operations, fan engagement, technology, performance, the growth of the women’s game, major tournament organization, sponsorship, academies, scouting, athlete development, broadcasting and more.

As the heartbeat of global football, Soccerex has been at the forefront of uniting the sport’s brightest minds, industry titans, and passionate fans. Among the panel discussions was exploring emerging trends in stadium design and fan engagement, with a focus on technology’s role in enhancing security and fan experience.

It also covered the economic, social, and environmental impacts of stadiums and mixed-use venues, factors that attract investors to stadium and soccer club projects, and innovative design concepts that could redefine stadiums in the coming decade.

Lively discussions around player care, the power of getting an education, and the collective responsibility of the industry to ensure our talented athletes are prepared for their second career… and know what their options are!

We had a powerful discussion about the evolving role of digital content in the global game, joined by a stellar lineup of panelists:

 Key Takeaways:
1. Fan Engagement is Evolving: Fans today aren’t just spectators, they’re active participants. We dove into how each brand taps into this shift, creating content that brings fans closer to the action while keeping it real.

2. Data-Driven Storytelling: From LaLiga’s focus on audience analytics to 433’s insights on young, digital-native fans, data is the game-changer. But, as we discussed, balancing data with a human touch is essential to keep content engaging and authentic.

3. Branded Content & Partnerships: With fans increasingly responsive to authentic content, brand partnerships that bring value are crucial. We explored what it takes to create branded content that feels organic and impactful, and the role of content creators in amplifying the message.

Discussion around the current state of football’s finances was a particular highlight of mine. Incredibly engaging content where neither held back on their true opinions of recent headlines in the game.

Miami is a football hub for the USA and Latin America. Here, sports culture is a daily habit, blending seamlessly with lifestyle and entertainment. Exciting times ahead, promising fireworks in the USA over the next two years.

Thank you Soccerex for helping us to keep football connected, and for providing a platform to discuss how we can continue pushing the boundaries of sports media.